08 March 2012

BRASIL: Many Rich Are Squatting In Pristine Nature Preserves.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-08/brazil-s-rich-build-homes-in-nature-preserves.html
                   Long Read
      While Brasilia employs the army and special police to sometimes forcefully remove 170,000 'squatters' from its urban favelas...the government reports that many rich people are also squatting...in lavish but illegal homes in many pristine nature preserves...violating environmental rules.
     But...the rich are successfully fighting efforts to remove them.
     The government claims the squatters include rental car millionaire Antonio Clausio Resende, food exec. Icaro Fernandes and movie director Bruno Barreto (foto)...among many others.
     “The law is the same for the poor and the rich, but the rich have the best lawyers,” says a prosecutor. “Lawsuits against them drag on in court for years.”